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Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Improving IV Insulin Administration in a Community Hospital
Published on: June 11, 2012
[Delivery (timing, mode, glycemic control) in women with gestational diabetes]
1Pôle d'obstétrique, Maternité Jeanne de Flandre, CHRU de Lille, 59037 Lille Cedex, France.
Objectives:
To provide management guidelines for labor and delivery in women with gestational diabetes.
Materials And Methods:
A literature search was performed using the Pubmed and Cochrane database. Foreign societies guidelines were also consulted.
Results:
There is no additional information from recent studies that may suggest changing current French guidelines about timing of delivery in gestational diabetes. The incidence of shoulder dystocia is increased in women with gestational diabetes, especially when infants are weighing more than 4500 g. Elective cesarean section when the fetal weight was greater than or equal to 4250 to 4500 g may reduce the risk of shoulder dystocia. Meticulous attention to avoiding maternal hyperglycemia during labor can prevent neonatal hypoglycemia. There is no significant role for x-ray pelvimetry in the management of gestational diabetes.
Conclusion:
Management of labor and delivery in women with gestational diabetes will mainly depend on estimated fetal weight, especially when macrosomia is present.
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